Page 78 of Tango

She just wanted to know what that would be like.

“Tango’s fine. And I want to thank you. Piper, you protected her and risked yourself. Thank you so, so much. You have no idea what that means to me.”

His arms crushed around her, and with it, calm, restoration, peace.

Wasn’t peace a funny word to think of when her world was spinning so wildly out of control?

And that was enough. Piper had nothing more in her. She’d emptied herself of the last bit of energy. Now, she was a noodle in Ethan’s arms.

As he held her close, the boat rocking them as they approached the wharf, Ethan kept telling her how brave she was, what a good job she’d done, and how proud he was of her.

His words were the best medicine, a wall against her self-recrimination about her role and culpability in this emergency.

Piper closed her eyes only for Ethan to jostle her. “Hey, hey, Piper, I need you to stay awake for me. You can’t sleep until the doctors tell you you can. Okay? I need you to stay with me. Will you do that for me, Piper? Can you stay with me?”

And her inner voice whispered, “Always.”

Chapter Twenty-Two

Ethan

The party barge pulled up to the wharf, vigorously peppered with bystanders holding up their phones and recording the excitement.

The EMTs rolled two gurneys down the incline toward the place they’d disembark.

A police officer followed behind them.

The party boat revelers were off to the side, their plastic cups clutched in their hands, looking soberly at the situation through intoxicated eyes.

Piper was dazed in his arms, too quiet, too still.

The guy with the binoculars came over with George Washington to help them up.

Ethan pulled the tablecloth from his shoulder and wrapped it around Piper.

She seemed reluctant to let him go, and he wondered if that meant something about her feelings or if she was just cold.

He liked the way he felt when she held him. It was a new sensation, one rich with satisfaction.

Squatting, Ethan scooped Piper into his arms and held her tight to his chest as the boat captain lowered the ramp.

Stepping onto the platform, Ethan called over his shoulder. “You guys are lifesavers. Thank you!”

With the boat cheering their successful rescue mission, Ethan walked up to a gurney and laid Piper gently down.

An EMT immediately covered her with a Mylar blanket.

The other EMT unbuckled the security belts and lowered the bed so Ethan could climb on.

“Not necessary,” Ethan called out. “I’m fine. I’m declining care, thanks. Maybe a Mylar if you don’t mind.”

Ethan shook out the silver packet, then wrapped it around his chest like a woman wraps a towel when she steps out of the tub. It would keep his core warm.

Gator and Jack stood by a tree with Tango staring hard at him.

The police officer approached with a pad in hand.

“She’s not answering any questions,” Ethan said, his tone calculated and hard.